The Rise of VintageWhat was old is new again

While the fashion industry shifts into a gear which sees the latest collections reaching a larger number of consumers at an even faster pace – both through the surge of social media usage during fashion week and designers closing the gap between runway shows and deliveries – a desire for a less accessible type of luxury is on the rise.

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“The appeal of vintage Chanel handbags are that they are unique, rare and collectible. New Chanel bags are available everywhere,” says Seth Weisser from vintage resources leader, What Goes Around Comes Around. ‘In recent years, we’ve seen the buying patterns of purchasing vintage change; now there are a lot more first time vintage buyers as more people want to have their own individual style and expression.’

The classic quilted variety is still the most popular type of Chanel bag on the vintage market says Weisser, however, there are even more unique options available for those looking for that one-off statement piece. “The rarest Chanel bag I’ve sourced featured a gold plated frame around the outside of the bag, while the most unusual one I’ve ever seen was a crocodile backpack,” says Weisser.

As the trend of buying luxury vintage rises, so does the amount of counterfeit products on the market. To ensure you’re purchasing an authentic Chanel bag Weisser warns on being selective on where and who you are purchasing from. “There is a long list of details used for determining the authenticity of a Chanel bag, we use three levels of inspection at What Goes Around Comes Around. To ensure you’re buying an authentic product, only buy from a trusted source, and from a seller who has a high quality selection.”